Having just released their second album, Bay Area band Small Crush create their own distinct brand of dreamy surf-pop with a shimmering energy and whimsical nostalgic charm. With lilting scuzzy vibes and the luscious honey-sweet vocals of front person Logan Hammon, each track perfectly balances vulnerable a raw emotion with blissful, carefree vibes and glistening allure.
We caught up with Logan to find out more about the album – have a read, and make sure you check out Penelope now!
Hi Small Crush! Welcome to Get In Her Ears! Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and how you initially got together to start creating music?
Hello Get in Her Ears! Logan here, We are an indie rock group from the SF East Bay Area! I’ve always written songs ever since I was little and always admired my dad for playing music. In high school, I joined up with Jackson, our guitar player, and started working on my songs more. We met our current drummer, Allen, and bassist, Joey, through mutual friends and the love of music.
I really love your luscious scuzzy energy and uplifting surf-pop vibes, but who would you consider to be your main musical influences?
Some of my favourites are Cub, The Cardigans, and Joni Mitchell. I love looking up to other female musicians. It always inspires me to keep going. Cub has a great rock-pop vibe. The Cardigans are so dreamy and sweet, and Joni’s songwriting is unmatched.
You’ve recently released a new re-imagining of an older song, ‘Rumblin Tummy’ – what made you decide to do this, and how does this differ from the original, ‘Tummy Rumblin’?
When we played this song live we always felt an urge to speed it up and make it more dancey. We played it so many times this way, it just felt right to record a version that the crowd enjoyed as much as we did playing it. I like re-imagining songs because it allows them to transform in ways we didn’t think of initially.
And you’ve recently released your second album Penelope, which is very exciting – congratulations! Are you able to tell us a bit about it? Are there any particular themes running throughout it?
Penelope is kind of my “saying goodbye to childhood” record. I chose the name because when I was little I named a lot of things Penelope. Stuffies, a chicken, a songbird, and a frog – pretty much anything I could! It felt right to name the album something I resonated a lot with when I was little. Most of the songs are about wishing for a simpler time and reminiscing on old memories.
What was the recording process for album like? And how did it differ from your 2019 debut?
We set some time on District Recording’s schedule for a week and basically worked day and night getting it done. We even slept over a few times in the studio for an album slumber party. We then just edited things here and there in the weeks after. It was pretty similar to our first record, but I’d say we had more self-confidence and drive to get it done.
Being based in California, how would you say this influences you as a band? Would you say it’s a good place to be involved in music?
Living in the Bay I have felt so lucky to be surrounded by so much good music and different influences. I’ve grown up here my whole life and it’s definitely had a huge impact on my music. I like to mix a lot of genres and ideas to form Small Crush’s sound as a whole, and I think living up north versus LA gives us a little more breathing room to grow.
You’re setting off on tour with Jeff Rosenstock later this year, which sounds like it’ll be a lot of fun! When out on tour, are there any particular essentials that you like to take with you to keep you going when away from home?
My #1 tour essential is my coffee pour-over set up – I seriously can’t function without it! Also, noise-canceling headphones for our long van rides and small sleeping quarters. A few good books are great for when you get tired of staring at your phone too long.
How do you feel the industry is for new artists at the moment? And do you feel much has changed over the last few years in its treatment of female/gender non-conforming and queer artists?
Through the power of the internet I feel a lot of new artists have a lot of control in taking their art into their own hands. It’s great that through promoting yourself you can find the best audience for you and your music. Before IG and TikTok, you had to have a lot of outside help to promote and find shows. Now, we have the power to plan our own gigs and find our own connections along the way. I feel like there has been some change in regards to female/gnc/queer artists, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.
As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
I’m currently loving Similar Kind, Strawberry Launch, and Chokecherry!!
Finally, as well as the tour, what does the rest of 2023 have in store for you?
Mostly getting ready for the tour and working on some new stuff for 2024!
Massive thanks to Logan from Small Crush for answering our questions!
Penelope, the latest album from Small Crush, is out now via Asian Man Records. Order here.
Photo Credit: Trinity Gardener
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